IAIN HUME is happy to be patient in his quest for a regular first team place at Prenton Park.

IAIN HUME is happy to be patient in his quest for a regular first team place at Prenton Park.

Still only 17, the Canadian Under-18 international has been a frequently used substitute by Tranmere boss Dave Watson this season.

His pace has been utilised on the right and left wings, as well as up front.

But while his cameo performances have been eye-catching, the forward insists he is happy to be patient in his wait for a starting berth.

And Hume accepts that the ankle injury which has put Senyi N'Diaye's place in doubt for tomorrow's trip to Brentford is unlikely to signal a first team start for him.

"I guess the manager thinks I have proved I am capable of figuring in the first team," admits Hume.

"He has given me the chance as a substitute and hopefully I can take it. A few times I have been put on late in a match when the scores have been level or we have been chasing the game and the manager's message has simply been 'work as hard as you can'.

"I have been happy with that and in the last couple of games I think I have done quite well. The manager has spoken to me about whether I can produce the same workrate for the full 90 minutes and I simply don't know.

"The pace of the game is much faster than a youth match or a reserve game and so it is a step into the unknown if I do start.

"I am happy to be patient. The season before last I had three first team appearances, last season I had 13 so my ambition for this season is to improve on that."

Watson intends to be patient with Hume, pointing out: "He offers us something different. He has got pace and is skilful. He may only be 5ft 7ins, but he can

challenge in the air and works hard. He is a good asset to have, particularly when Jason (Koumas) is not available.

"But he is only 17. He has been on the scene for a while so people probably think he is older than he is. It is not fair on the lad to sling him into the first team and expect him to be performing week in, week out. That doesn't happen with players that age and you have to be careful with them."

Tomorrow's game at Brentford is set to come too soon for Hume, which should mean a combination of Stuart Barlow and Wayne Allison in attack if N'Diaye fails to shake off his ankle knock.

Koumas is set to return after being away with the Wales squad for 10 days.

He was an unused substitute against Armenia last weekend and Norway on Wednesday night.

Watson said: "We do miss him when he is away because he is a bit special. Hopefully he will be in good nick for tomorrow."

Graham Allen could also be in line for his first start of the season after coming through three reserve matches unscathed.